Liesa Euton, an American born and educated in New York City, the Dutch, and the French Antilles, brings a wealth of experience from her 23-year career in the hospitality industry. Holding degrees in psychology and hospitality management, she began her journey as the general manager of The Sea Palace Resort, where she served for 17 years. During her tenure, Liesa was also the President of the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association for four years and was instrumental in creating Timeshare Law as President of the Timeshare Association. Over her two decades in St. Maarten, she served on 29 boards, participated in parliamentary elections, and contributed to SESNA, overseeing soft loan approvals for the EU. Liesa ran for the Senate in the 1998 Parliamentary Federal Island Elections and hosted “The People’s Voice” radio talk show for 15 years, alongside co-hosting the TV culinary program “Best Bites of the Caribbean” for four years. She taught at the St. Maarten Culinary School and later opened the award-winning “Los Gauchos” Fine Dining Argentinian Restaurant and The Bistro International Grill, which she operated for eight years before moving to Dubai in 2009. In Dubai, Liesa continues to serve as a Rotarian in the Rotary Club Jumeirah, where she has been a member and Paul Harris Fellow for 30 years, including 23 years on the Board. She has held various roles, including International Relations Director and Campaign Strategist for the UAE Athletics Federation, and co-founded the Dubai Women’s Run from 2010 to 2018. As a keynote speaker and moderator at events and conferences, Liesa is dedicated to mentoring clients to transform their lives by shifting their mindsets and empowering women in financial technology, with a strong belief in the importance of financial independence for all women.
This article will explore Liesa’s vision, accomplishments, inspirations, and future projects.
How did you ended up as a the Director of EHP International (MENA)
Fate and destiny are how the CEO of EHP International Raj Sajnani and I connected. We owe that to his daughter beauty mogul Natasha Moor of Natasha Moor Cosmetics. She was at my home for dinner several years ago and mentioned that her dad and I did the same thing, and we should connect as he wants to get into the Middle East market. The rest is history, I am not one for business partners, but we met, and it has been a very symbiotic business relationship, since then we have also spread into the African and Caribbean Regions, I spend my time as director of the MENA region for EHP International Ltd.
Can you tell us what EHP does and some of the companies that work with EHP International Ltd.?
Sure, we design, develop, and deliver practical, engaging, and skill-enhancing masterclasses that help staff enhance their potential in Sales, Sales Management, Leadership, Excellence in Customer Service, and personal development areas to differentiate themselves from competitors and remain leaders in their Industries.
We have International clients in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean Region who keep returning and recommending customers to us. I’ll mention a few: Hallmark, Swarovski, Bloomberg, Reuters, Cathay Pacific, DFS, Citibank, Credit Suisse Private Banking, HK Trade Development Council, African+Eastern, Yas Plaza Hotels, Expressions Perfumees, Warner-Lambert, Johnson& Johnson, Sephora, (Parke Davis), Motorola University, Apple Computers, Wing Hang Bank, Dao Heng Bank, Beauford Ipsen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Nestle Hong Kong, RGA Reinsurance, Siemens Ltd, Cigna Insurance, Jardine Davies (Philippines), SwissRe, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, as well as the Novotel Century, Le Meridien Cyberport hotels and HSBC Private Banking, MGF Sourcing, The Leela Mumbai, Fairmont Jaipur, Harley Davidson, Six Senses Resorts in Thailand, Vietnam & Maldives / Galaxy Entertainment Group / City of Dreams in Macau, Fairmont India, and Radisson Hong Kong. Grandcase Beach Club, Winair, Mandarin Oriental, AquaMania Adventures, SHTA members, Le Club du Tourisme, and SMTA members.
What are the main factors that guided you to where you are now?
That is a big open-ended question, to sum it up there are many factors that guide you in life. My education shaped my knowledge, skills, and the direction of my career. I went to a disciplined catholic all-girls school in NY and my university was extremely competitive and predominantly Jewish, so I learned what you call “chutzpah” which is Yiddish for extreme self-confidence. My relationships with my family, friends, and mentors have provided support and guidance. My personal experiences, including successes and failures, have played a critical role in my growth. We are here as souls living a physical life and here to have experiences and learn from them good or bad. I always set goals annually and pursue them which provides motivation and focus for me, my core beliefs and values have guided my choices and shaped my worldview. I come from a Caribbean background but was born and raised in New York. Cultural and background plays a significant role, and geographic location can greatly influence life’s path. Chance encounters, job offers, and serendipitous events lead to new directions in life. So, I have 3 volumes of “My Book of Life” New York, St. Maarten, and Dubai, there could be a 4th who knows I am open to what life brings me.
Given your 30+ years of experience and accomplishments, what would you say was your biggest achievement?
Wow, the most challenging but most rewarding for me was opening The Safe Haven Foundation in 1998. Safe Haven is a non-profit foundation located on the island of St. Maarten, that offers support and assistance for women going through domestic abuse. Safe Haven is a confidential, non-profit organization that offers free shelter, counseling, and supportive services to women and their minor-aged children. I was appointed by the then Lt, Governor to be President and get the Foundation started. I remember him calling me to his office and I said why I was so busy with other Boards and the Hotel. He replied that your background in psychology is needed, and you specialize in domestic violence. Yes, you are busy so I know you will get it done. You always follow through. I started from scratch with butterflies in my stomach. The outpour of support from the community was outstanding. Many serendipitous moments occurred to get the house furnished, appliances, food supplies, a director, teacher, staff volunteers for the hotline, and security all came together. My heart and soul felt so joyous. There is so much to the story how it all came together but ill leave it to Volume 2 of my book.
What is the quote that inspires you the most?
“To whom much is given, much is required”. If you have heard this before, you know it means we are held responsible for what we have. If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we benefit others and give back.
What distinguishes EHP International from other organizations in your field?
Maintaining high client loyalty is important for us and it has a multifaceted approach that requires consistent effort and attention.
Here are some strategies: we have a great Team with exceptional customer service, and we build relationships with our clients, we make sure we have quality products and services, and we always after each session with our clients solicit feedback. What sets us apart is consistent communication with our clients. We exceed expectations by going the extra mile. We provide our clients with educational resources, insights, tips, and related to our training programs that can add value. By combining these strategies, EHP creates an environment where client loyalty flourishes.
What personality traits contributed to you being a successful Director?
Honesty and trust, the ability to mentor staff and provide growth and development resources like EHP International, the ability to motivate, a high EQ (emotional intelligence), the willingness to deliver open and honest feedback, and the ability to inspire self-awareness and compassion.
In light of your journey and experiences, what message would you like to convey to aspiring youth in the same field?
This is for any youth. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Find a mentor in the same field you are in. Listen to people and take advice, what they see as your trajectory and the path you choose do not have to be the same as theirs. Be positive. See the potential for good outcomes, while still being aware of the risks. Focus on the prize – if you fail, course correct, learn, and move on.”
What is your personal team leadership philosophy, and how does it shape your work environment?
I believe in leading by example and fostering open communication. Whether it was the boards of directors I sat on, being a general manager of the hotel, or my restaurants, I prioritize building relationships with my team based on trust, respect, and transparency. I actively listen to their concerns and feedback, provide regular recognition and feedback, and offer opportunities for growth and development. Open respectful collaboration can solve any problem. A well-defined personal leadership philosophy fosters trust, communication, and alignment within your team. It is a foundation for effective leadership and positively impacts your team.
What is the most valuable lesson learned from your professional journey?
Patience and persistence are important qualities for success in life. Whether it’s in our personal or professional lives, it’s important to have the patience to persevere through challenges and the persistence to keep working towards our goals, even when things get tough.
How do you manage and prioritize your time between networking activities and other leadership responsibilities?
The key for me is to be as detailed and thorough as possible. I would be lost without my agenda and a daily to-do list! I keep an agenda because I need to physically write out tasks I need to do and prioritize them based on importance and urgency. I then break down each task into subtasks and estimate how long it will take to complete each. I make sure I set time for everything, including the gym, emails, calls, etc. I also allow driving time between meetings. I know it’s a bit obsessive, but it keeps me on track especially when I have a lot going on both day and evening. It’s like a catharsis for me when I can cross the items off the list.
What future developments do you anticipate in the realm of networking and organizational visibility?
Well, I like to call it Networking for Influence and Visibility, this is becoming more and more common. Whether you are remote or in person, this is about building stronger relationships with influential people who can help you in your career. It is important to have a strategy to build your network with the right people, a system to consistently be more visible each week and to learn how to talk about yourself and the value that you bring is important. No one can speak about you better than yourself.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re particularly excited about?
While I love all the regions we work with, I am particularly excited and filled with anticipation of EHP’s growth in the Caribbean Region, it’s home for me and I enjoy training in the Caribbean region. Tourism is our main economy. In the hospitality industry, customer service is paramount, and soft skills training is essential for improving service quality, fostering a positive work environment, and enhancing overall business success. In closing, any company that invests in soft skills training is committed to quality service and employee development, enhancing its reputation and competitiveness in the market.
